The Mountlake Terrace Police Department and supporting agencies have completed their investigation into the manner of death of Cheryl DeBoer, a 53-year-old Mountlake Terrace woman who was last heard from on the morning of Monday, Feb. 8. They have determined her death was a suicide.

On Feb. 8, DeBoer was reported missing after failing to arrive for work. DeBoer’s vehicle was later discovered in the 23400 block of 58th Avenue West in Mountlake Terrace. According to investigators, the vehicle and surrounding area revealed no evidence of assault, abduction or struggle.

On Feb. 14, DeBoer’s body was discovered by search crews in a culvert located at the intersection of 244th Street Southwest and Cedar Way, also in Mountlake Terrace. DeBoer had a plastic bag loosely taped over her head. The autopsy, performed by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner, determined asphyxiation and fresh water drowning as the cause of death. DeBoer’s toxicology results revealed an absence of any substance that could have contributed to her death. Additionally, the autopsy did not reveal any injuries consistent with DeBoer being a victim of an assault, abduction or struggle. Assistant Police Chief Pete Caw said that a substance that initially tested to be animal blood was actually a sugary substance that will sometimes test positive for blood before further analysis is completed.

After the Mountlake Terrace Police Department has completed their investigation into DeBoer’s death, investigators met with members of the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office to discuss forensic, medical, physical and circumstantial evidence discovered during the investigation. After a thorough review of the evidence in the investigation, the Medical Examiner determined suicide as the manner of DeBoer’s death.

Mountlake Terrace Police recently met with the family members to discuss the findings of the investigation.  Mike DeBoer, Cheryl’s husband, thanked the community for their support over the past several months and expressed his appreciation for the thorough and careful work of the Mountlake Terrace Police Department and for the manner in which detectives interacted with the family.

The family asks for everyone to please respect their privacy during this difficult time.